Why is it?

[mystiandsunny]

Why do people who want loan horses always want something so specific (and usually so expensive)? When I see loan ads they always seem to want the perfect horse, that you'd pay at least £4000 if not quite a lot more for (especially the ads that want something up to x level of competition!).

I understand completely that some people don't have the ready cash for a horse and have a situation (own land etc) where their upkeep is low so want to loan. Why have such unrealistic expectations though? I'm sure there are some fab loan horses out there, but not many, most are average family horses/ponies who are much loved and whose owners want to keep an eye on. Most aren't young either.

Most people I know who've loaned have either had a lovely family horse in its teens/twenties, or something with issues that isn't sell on-able but whose owner doesn't have the time for any more.

 

[Ezme]

The wanted horse for sale ads are the same. Someone once said to me that its newish horse people who want to loan first (sensible) but expect way too much (not sensible)

When we looks for retirement homes for the boys we always get a load thinking a horse thats worked 6 days a week for 10 years plus under harness is going to be up to affiated stuff under saddle next week. People think they can pick up a cheap horse because he's an ex-worker and because of that he's going to be perfect.

 

[Flame_]

Probably because they've come to the harsh but sensible conclusion that you can spend £4000 + on a horse only for it and its vet bills to be your responsibility when it inevitably breaks, or you can borrow one for free, have all the fun competing it and then hand it back to be the owner's problem when its knackered. A bit like professional riders do really!!!

 

[shell1978]

I can happily say that I dont fall into that catagory!! I loan a 20 year old Cushings horse, and love her too bits! Would not swap her for the world!!

 

[NIKKI1974]

I am currently looking for an old plod to take on loan for my other half and something that is safe and quiet on the road a non competitive horse and i cant find one anywhere not that will carry sixteen stone anyway , where are they all i might have to end up buying something for him , at one stage there were loads of people who would have loved someone to take on their not so young or semi retired horse!

 

[Booboos]

I saw a brilliant foreword to a charity's loaning scheme once which went something like this: please do not contact us if you want a sensible all-rounder who is a superstar is all fields, who will hack safely yet be fun, will compete and bring home the rosettes in any discipline and have no health problems. These horses, if they exist, are treasured pets, rarely come on the market, and when they do it is for large amounts of money!